Television and System and Method for Providing a Remote Control Device

ABSTRACT

A television and system and method for providing a remote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television includes a processor, a memory, a tuner, a panel, and an audio driver therein in an interconnected architecture. The television may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, such as a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device having a touch screen display, whereby formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions, including virtual buttons, may be transmitted to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device for display on the touch screen display to create an experience parallel to the experience on the television. The television receives and processes virtual remote control functionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control amenities associated with the television.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/505,978 entitled “Television and System and Method for Providing aRemote Control Device” filed on Jul. 9, 2019, in the names of VanessaOgle, et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 11,051,065 issued on Jun. 29, 2021;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/625,224entitled “Television and System and Method for Providing a RemoteControl Device” filed on Jun. 16, 2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle etal., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,349,109, issued on Jul. 9, 2019; which claimspriority from U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/352,727 entitled “Televisionand System and Method for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filedon Jun. 1, 2016, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.; all of which arehereby incorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/625,224 entitled “Television and Systemand Method for Providing a Remote Control Device” filed on Jun. 16,2017, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,349,109,issued on Jul. 9, 2019, is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/422,667 entitled “Set-Top/Back Box, System andMethod for Providing a Remote Control Device” filed on Feb. 2, 2017, inthe names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,187,685, issuedon Jan. 22, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/162,823 entitled “Set-Top/Back Box, System and Method forProviding a Remote Control Device” filed on May 24, 2016, in the namesof Vanessa Ogle et al.; which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/876,571 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System andMethod for Providing a Remote Control Device” filed on Oct. 6, 2015, inthe names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,029, issued onMay 24, 2016; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/525,392 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method forProviding a Remote Control Device” filed on Oct. 28, 2014, in the namesof Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 9,154,825, issued on Oct. 6,2015; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/177,876 entitled “Set Top/Back Box, System and Method for Providing aRemote Control Device” filed on Feb. 11, 2014, in the names of VanessaOgle et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 8,875,195, issued on Oct. 28, 2014; whichis a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/528,663 entitled “SetTop/Back Box, System And Method For Providing A Remote Control Device”filed on Jun. 20, 2012, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al., now U.S.Pat. No. 8,650,600, issued on Feb. 11, 2014; which claims priority fromU.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/498,734, entitled “Set Top/Back Box,System and Method for Providing a Remote Control Device” and filed onJun. 20, 2011, in the names of Ogle et al.; all of which are herebyincorporated by reference, in entirety, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to remote control devices and, inparticular, to televisions as well as systems and methods for providinga remote control device for a use in multi-unit environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remote controls are now considered a necessity for operating televisiondevices wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance without the needto approach the television. In multi-unit environments, such asfurnished multifamily residences, hotels, and hospitals, for example,remote controls are usually small wireless handheld objects with anarray of buttons for adjusting various settings such as televisionchannel and volume. These devices have limited functionality and, as aresult, there is a continuing need for improved remote controls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a remote control for use in amulti-unit environment that would improve upon existing limitations infunctionality. It would also be desirable to enable a wireless solutionthat would mitigate or eliminate the cost of providing remote controlsin multi-unit environments. To better address one or more of theseconcerns, systems and methods, including a television, for providing aremote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment of thetelevision, the television includes a processor, a memory, a tuner, apanel, and an audio driver therein in an interconnected architecture.The television may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, such as a proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device having a touch screen display, wherebyformatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions, includingvirtual buttons, may be transmitted to the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device for display on the touch screen displayto create an experience parallel to the experience on the television.

The television receives and processes virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device to control amenities associated with thetelevision. In one implementation, the television is associated with amulti-unit environment such as a lodging environment and the amenitiesrelate to a guest's stay at the lodging environment. These and otheraspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated withreference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of asystem for providing a remote control device including a television,according to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 2 is a semi-schematic block diagram depicting components of thesystem presented in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of thetelevision shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram depicting the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, a component of thesystem presented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a functional flow diagram depicting one embodiment of singleframe signaling between the television and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device;

FIG. 6 is a functional flow diagram depicting one embodiment ofstreaming video between the television and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device;

FIG. 7 is a functional flow diagram depicting one embodiment of controlsignaling between the television and the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram depicting one embodiment of a method foruser touch panel display command execution; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a remote control device, according to the teachings presentedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted a system forproviding a remote control device in a multi-unit environment, such as afurnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment,hotel, or hospital, which is schematically illustrated and designate 10.A television 12 having a panel 14 configured to display content andspeakers 16 is communicatively disposed with various amenitiesassociated with the multi-unit environment. By way of example, and notby way of limitation, these amenities include a hospitality suite 18,which represents a set of services, including check in/check out 20,maid service 22, spa 24, room service 26, and front desk 28.Additionally, the amenities shown include Internet service 30, apay-per-view (PPV) terminal 32, and a room control device 34,representing control of the lights 36, thermostat 38, shades 40, and adoorbell/do not disturb designation 42. Other amenities include a CD/DVDplayer 44 and a radio tuner 46.

As discussed below, the television 12 provides a parallel audiovisualexperience related to the content on the panel 14 to a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50, which may in turnbe used as a virtual remote control to control one or more of theamenities communicatively disposed with the television 12. A proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 may be awireless-enabled interactive handheld device that may be supplied orcarried by the guest and may be selected from a range of existingdevices, such as, for example iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android®devices, Blackberry® devices, personal computers, laptops, tabletcomputers, smart phones, and smart watches, for example. As will bediscussed in further detail below, in one implementation, an application52 installed from a server 54 enables the television 12 and theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 to bewirelessly paired. In another embodiment, a challenge-response isutilized to wirelessly pair the television 12 and the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the pairing between the television 12 and theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 having atouch screen display 60 is illustrated in further detail, wherein thealphabetical designations A-E used with proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50 indicate particular selectableconfigurations of the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50, which are labeled proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50-A through 50-E. As shown, thetelevision 12 receives content 62 from a source and outputs to the panel14 either the content 62 or a modified version of the content 62, whichincludes a menu functionality and is designated content 64. The menufunctionality may prompt the user to select between particular servicesand features offered, which may relate to the previously discussedamenities.

The proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-Aincludes content 66 on the touch screen display 60, which corresponds tocontent 62 on the television 44. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, the content 66 is formatted and/or scaled for the touch screendisplay 60. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice 50-B includes content 68, which is a formatted and/or scaledversion of content 64, on the touch screen display 60. The content 68includes a virtual button that if pressed by a user causes thecorresponding functionality to the menu button 70 to occur. Morespecifically, the television 12 receives a virtual remote controlfunctionality instruction from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50-B, which indicates that on touchscreen 60 coordinates (X_(PD), Y_(PD)) a touch-and-click operationoccurred. The television 12 translates or de-scales the coordinates(X_(PD), Y_(PD)) to coordinates (X_(STB), Y_(STB)), which the television12 compares against a configuration profile in order to determine thatthe actuation of the menu button 70 presents a pay-per-view terminalguide listing. The television 12 then sends a command signal to the PPVterminal 32 and the requested guide is then displayed.

The proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-Cincludes content 72 on the touch screen display 60. The content 72corresponds to the content 62, however, the content 72 is formattedand/or scaled for viewing on only an upper portion of the touch screendisplay 60. A virtual remote control 74 is displayed on lower portion ofthe touch screen display 60. The virtual remote control 74 controls theCD/DVD player via virtual buttons, including virtual buttons 76, 78.Similar to the actuation of the menu button 70 with proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-B, the television 12receives a virtual remote control functionality instruction from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-C, whichindicates that on touch screen display 60 coordinates (X_(PD), Y_(PD)) atouch-and-click operation occurred. The television 12 translates orde-scales the coordinates (X_(PD), Y_(PD)) to coordinates (X_(STB),Y_(STB)), which the television 12 compares against a configurationprofile in order to determine that the actuation of the button 76initiates playing music on the CD/DVD player 44. The television 12 thensends a command signal to the CD/DVD player 44 and music is played. Theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-D havingvirtual remote control 80 for television 44 control with buttons 82, 84and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50-Efor television 12 control having virtual remote control 86 with buttons88, 90 have similar functionality to the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50-B and 50-C. In one implementation, auser may toggle between the full screen television presentation of theprogrammable device 50-A and the split screen television/remotepresentation of the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice s 50-B through 50-E by selectively swiping or clicking apredetermined portion of the touch screen display 60. Once in the splitscreen television/remote presentation, the user may selectively switchbetween an array of virtual remote controls corresponding to theconfiguration profile in the television 12, which correspond to thevarious amenities in the multi-unit environment.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the television 12 may be a telecommunicationmedium used for transmitting sound with moving images in black-and-whiteor color in two or three dimensions. As used herein, television mayrefer to a television set or a display operating with televisionfunctionality. By way of further example, as used herein, television mayinclude smart televisions, sometimes referred to as connectedtelevisions or hybrid televisions, that include televisions havingconvergent functionality with computers and set-top boxes, includingintegrated Internet features. Such smart televisions may providetraditional broadcasting media as well as Internet television, onlineinteractive media, over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streamingmedia, for example. As shown, the television 12 includes a processor 100with video/audio decoder having memory 102, storage 104, a controlinterface processor 106, and a transceiver 112 connected therewith. Ademodulator tuner 108 provides an input as do inputs 110. The processor100 drives a signal to the video and filter processor 114, which inturn, drives a signal to a panel interface 116 and onto the panel 14,which may serve as a display. Additionally, the processor 100 drives asignal to the audio driver 118, which in turn, drives a signal tospeakers 16.

The processor 100 with video/audio decoder may process instructions forexecution within the computing device, including instructions stored inthe memory 102 or in the storage 104. In one embodiment, the video/audiodecoder functionality of the processor 100 provides for the conversionof base-band analog video signals to digital components video whileallowing programmable control over video characteristics such as hue,contrast, and saturation. The memory 102 stores information within thecomputing device, as shown, the television 12. In one implementation,the memory 102 is a volatile memory unit or units. In anotherimplementation, the memory 102 is a non-volatile memory unit or units.Storage 104 provides capacity that is capable of providing mass storagefor the television 12.

In one implementation, the control interface processor 106 may executeinstructions relative to a self-diagnosis television control interface.Further, the self-diagnosis interface may be selected from RJ25 ports,RS232 ports, RS422 ports, RS485 ports, multiple protocol interfaces(MPIs), and multiple television interfaces (MTIs), for example. Asdepicted, the control interface may include an RS232 standard DB-25connection for the serial communication transmission of data. Such aconnection formally defines the signals connecting between a DTE (dataterminal equipment) such as a computer terminal, and a DCE (datacircuit-terminating equipment, originally defined as data communicationequipment.

The demodulator tuner 108 recovers the information content from amodulated carrier wave received from cable or an antenna, for example,and appropriately adjusts the resonance frequency of the receivedmodulated carrier wave for further processing by the processor. Asdiscussed, various inputs 110 provide connections to the television 12,wherein the inputs 110 are the signals or data received by thetelevision 12. In the illustrated example, the inputs 110 may include anHDMI interface or CVBS component, for example. The transceiver 112 isassociated with the television 12 and communicatively disposed with thearchitecture. As shown the transceiver 112 may be internal, external, ora combination thereof with respect to the housing of the television 12.Communication between various amenities in the hotel room, includingeven the remote control 30, and the television 12 may be enabled by avariety of wireless methodologies employed by the transceiver 112,including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications(NFC), Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared(IR) may be utilized.

The video and filter processor 114 performs a complete or partialsuppression of some aspect of the signal received from the processor 100in order to remove some frequencies to suppress interfering signals andreduce background noise and adjust image quality. The panel interface116 specifies a video connection and signaling that drives the panel 14,which may be a liquid crystal display, plasma panel, electroluminescentpanel, or organic light-emitting diode panel, for example. The audiodriver 118 specifies the audio connection and signaling that drives anelectrical audio signal to the speakers, which convert the electricalaudio signal into a corresponding sound.

As described, the television 12 is associated with a room and includes,a processor 120, memory 102, a tuner shown as demodulator tuner 108, apanel 14 and an audio driver 118 therein in an interconnectedarchitecture. It should be appreciated that although a particulararchitecture is shown, the teachings prescribed herein are applicable toother architectures. By way of example, the processors 100, 106, and 114may be partially or fully integrated and represented as the processor120. The memory 102 and storage 104 are accessible to the processor 120and include processor-executable instructions that, when executed, causethe processor 120 to execute a series of operations. As mentioned,communication between the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50 and the television 12 may be enabled by a varietyof wireless methodologies, including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), and Bluetooth, for example.Also, infrared (IR) may utilized. If direct communication is notpossible, communication between the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device and the television may be made throughindirect communication protocols. For example, a proxy service may beused to route messaging to the interactive device by way of the Internetor 802.11 communication.

The processor-executable instructions establish a pairing between theamenities and the television 12 such that the television 12 isconfigured to control each of the amenities in the multi-unitenvironment. The processor-executable instructions specify a searchoperation to identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactivehandheld device 50. This search operation utilizes the at least one ormore wireless transceivers 112 to wirelessly identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50. As previouslydiscussed, the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice 50 may include an application which assists in the searching oralternatively a NFC protocol may be utilized for identification. In afurther non-limiting variation, a BlueTooth challenge-response isutilized or instructions on a gateway television page are presented. Inmany embodiments of the search methodology, physical proximity betweenthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 andthe television 12 is leveraged to establish a pairing therebetween.

The processor-executable instructions also establish a pairing betweenthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 andthe television 12. Additionally, the processor-executable instructionssend parallel audiovisual experience instructions to the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50. This enables theparallel audiovisual experience on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50. The instructions may includeinstructions for virtual buttons on the touch screen display 60. Thevirtual buttons are associated with a particular amenity, as previouslydiscussed. Standard remote control functionality input instructions areembodied as virtual remote control functionality input instructions tobe received and processed by the television 12 from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50. The virtual remotecontrol functionality input instructions received from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device are processed based onthe location of a touch-and-click operation on the touch screen display.The location of the touch-and-click operation is translated by thetelevision 12 into a command associated with an amenity based on thelocation of the touch-and-click operation and the parallel audiovisualexperience instructions provided to the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50.

The configuration profile is associated with the memory 102 andprocessor-executable instructions that enable the television 12 tocontrol the amenities in the multi-room environment. The configurationprofile, for each amenity, includes instructions for virtual buttons onthe touch screen display, and instructions for associating virtualremote control functionality input instructions from the touch screendisplay with commands that are handled by the television 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50 may be a wireless communication device of thetype including various fixed, mobile, and/or portable devices. To expandrather the limit the previous discussion of the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50, such devices mayinclude, but are not limited to, cellular or mobile telephones, two-wayradios, personal digital assistants, digital music players, GlobalPosition System units, and so forth. The proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50 may include processor 122, bus 124,display 126, I/O panel 128, a camera 130, memory 132, storage 134 and atransmitter/receiver 136. It should be appreciated that although aparticular architecture is explained, other designs and layouts arewithin the teachings presented herein.

In operation, the teachings presented herein permit a proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop to be utilized as an intelligent remote controldevice to interactively communicate with a television that operates thetelevision and/or room automation in a multi-dwelling environment.Additionally, the systems and methods presented herein may be employedby an installer or maintenance staff worker to create an interactivetool for the deployment, diagnosis and maintenance of a television.

In the operation embodiment being described, the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 may be “paired” on atemporary basis to the television for use during the stay of anoccupant. The proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device50 may communicate via the television 12 with the television, a propertymanagement system or customer relationship management solution to beautomatically configured for VIP guests and to clear settings aftercheck-out for privacy.

The system and method may provide a menu-driven environment which mayduplicate content on the television, provide related content, furnish aparallel experience, or provide controls for the environment in theroom. For example, with respect to the parallel experience, a channelguide may be provided. By way of another example, providing controls forthe environment may include enabling the thermostat and lightingcontrols from the interactive device by way of the television.

Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein may enable users to useexisting electronic devices as a temporary remote control device tocontrol a television via a television. Therefore the systems and methodspresented herein avoid the need for additional or expensive highfunctionality remote controls. In this respect, the teachings presentedherein also include providing the software and/or application for theelectronic device or interactive handheld device. The application, tothe extent needed, may be downloaded from the Internet or alternativelymade available by download from the television.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of single frame signaling betweenthe television 12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50 is depicted. At operational module 140, a timeror user request generates a request 142 from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50, which is receivedby the capture/compress module 144 at the television 12. The operationalmodule 144 responsive thereto, receives a video generation signal fromthe operational module 146, which is F_(output) (X_(STB), Y_(STB)). Thissignal is forwarded to operational module 148, where the signal isformatted and/or scaled for the particular proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50, based on the pairing establishedbetween the television 12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50. That is, the operational module 148 formatsand/or scales the signal from F_(output)(X_(STB) Y_(STB)), withindividual pixels being (X_(STB), Y_(STB)), to F_(device)(X_(PD),Y_(PD)), with individual pixels being (X_(PD), Y_(PD)). The formattedand/or scaled signal F_(device)(X_(PD), Y_(PD)) is sent via signal videoframe (SVF) signal 150 from the television 12 and received atoperational module 152, where the signal and message are received anddisplayed at operational module 154 on the touch screen display 60 ofthe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50. Inthis manner, parallel audiovisual experience instructions are providedby the television 12 to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50 to create a parallel experience, which asdiscussed previously, may include virtual buttons. It should beappreciated that the various operational modules described in FIG. 4 andherein may be executed by the hardware, software, and firmwarearchitectures depicted in FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of streaming video between the television12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device50. At operational module 160 a request 162 originates from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50 and isreceived by operational module 164, where the message is received and aresponse 166 is transmitted back to the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 50, indicating that the parameters. Theresponse 166 is received at operational module 168. With reference againto the television 12, an operational module 170 generates the streamingvideo, which is captured and compressed at operational module 172, priorto being formatted, in one embodiment, as an IP stream output atoperational module 174. After transmission from the television 12, theIP video stream 176 is received by the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device at operational module 178, and thendecompressed at operational module 180 prior to being displayed atoperational module 182. Similar to the discussion in FIG. 4, theformatting and scaling involves transforming F_(output)(X_(STB),Y_(STB)), with individual pixels being (X_(STB), Y_(STB)), toF_(device)(X_(PD), Y_(PD)) with individual pixels being (X_(PD), Y_(PD))and reflecting a substantially realtime stream rate. In this manner,parallel audiovisual experience instructions are provided by thetelevision 12 to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice 50 to create a parallel experience, which as discussedpreviously, may include virtual buttons.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of control signaling between thetelevision 12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50. At the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, a button click or touch-and-click operation isdetected at operational module 190, which then sends request 192. Thebutton click may be associated with the actuation of a virtual button,which forms a portion of the parallel audiovisual experience. Thetelevision 12 receives the request 192 and operational module 194executes a programmable command interpreter based on a configurationprofile to determine the individual pixels (X_(STB), Y_(STB)) associatedwith touch-and-click operation at (X_(PD), Y_(PD)). Based on theparallel audiovisual instructions sent from the television 12 and thereceived location of the touch-and-click operation, the operationalmodule 194 determines the command and amenity associated with theactuation of the virtual button actuation on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 50. In the particularillustrated embodiment, at operational module 196, an embedded webbrowser engine 196, working with operational module 198, which handlesinternal video playback control, forwards a command signal 197 to theappropriate amenity.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a method for user touch panel displaycommand execution. At block 200, the methodology is in standby. At block202, a user drags his or her finger to particular coordinates on thetouch screen display of the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 204, the event is transmitted from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and receivedby the television, where the coordinates are translated from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device coordinatesto the television coordinates. At block 206, the event is passed back tothe proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device andcontinued to be monitored. As shown by the dashed lies from block 208,it should be understood that during this process the user may continueto touch the screen.

At decision block 210, the movement type is determined and if a dragrelease occurred, then the focus of the methodology changes to the newcoordinates. On the other hand, if a click movement occurs, then atdecision block 214, the methodology forms a tree depending on whether ornot the click occurred at existing coordinates (block 216) or newcoordinates (block 218). These events are monitored for proper reportingto the television 12 from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 50 of the location and type of touch-and-clickoperation, which may include a drag and/or release, occurs.

FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing a remote controldevice, according to the teachings presented herein. At block 230, theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device is configuredto provide a parallel audiovisual experience. In one implementation,this may involve using an existing application on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, such as a browser, ordownloading a new application. At block 232, a search, which may beactive or passive, is performed by the television to identify aphysically proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device inthe multi-room environment. At block 234, a pairing is established priorto a scalable parallel audiovisual experience being provided at block236 on the touch screen display of the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device. The audiovisual experience is parallelto the television experience being provided by the television. As notedby block 238, this experience may include providing virtual buttonsintegrated within the audiovisual experience or two or more panelswithin the touch screen display showing the television experience andone or more virtual remote controls. As previously discussed, thevirtual remote controls and buttons each correspond to amenities underthe control of the television.

At block 240, command coordinates are received from the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device at the television andthese command coordinates are translated into a command signal intendedfor an amenity associated with the television based on the location ofthe touch-and-click operation, which more generally may be understood asa user interaction, and the parallel experience being provided by thetelevision to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice. At block 244, the command is sent from the television to theamenity.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television comprising: a wireless transceiverconfigured to communicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactivehandheld device, the proximate wireless-enabled interactive handhelddevice being a non-television remote control; a processor, the wirelesstransceiver, memory, a tuner, a panel configured to display content, andan audio driver disposed in an interconnected architecture; the memoryaccessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executableinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: perform asearch operation to identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactivehandheld device, establish a pairing between the proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device and the television, provideinstructions for virtual buttons on a touch screen display associatedwith the proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device, thevirtual buttons being associated with a particular amenity, receive andprocess virtual remote control functionality input instructions from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device based on thelocation of a touch-and-click operation on the touch screen display,translate the location of the touch-and-click operation into a commandassociated with a plurality of proximate amenities based on the locationof the touch-and-click operation, and send a command to the particularamenity; a configuration profile associated with the memory andprocessor-executable instructions that enables the television to controlthe plurality of proximate amenities, the plurality of proximateamenities including the particular amenity, the plurality of amenitiesbeing selected from the group consisting of lighting, thermostats, andshades; and the configuration profile, for each amenity of the pluralityof amenities, including instructions for virtual buttons on a touchscreen display, and instructions for associating virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the touch screen display withcommands.
 2. The television as recited in claim 1, wherein the wirelesstransceiver is configured to communicate with a standard selected fromthe group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), and Bluetooth.
 3. Thetelevision as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor-executedinstructions further comprise instructions that scale an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 4. The television as recited in claim 1,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that scale, on a frame-by-frame basis, an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 5. The television as recited in claim 1,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that scale, on a streaming basis, an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 6. The television as recited in claim 1,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that display virtual buttons on a second portion of thetouch screen display.
 7. The television as recited in claim 1, whereinthe plurality of amenities further comprises an amenity selected fromthe group consisting of CD/DVD players, tuners, hospitality suiteservices, Internet service, pay-per-view terminals, room controldevices, and televisions.
 8. The television as recited in claim 1,wherein the plurality of amenities further comprises an amenity selectedfrom the group consisting of check in/check out, maid service, spaservice, room service, and front desk.
 9. The television as recited inclaim 1, wherein the processor being caused to receive and processvirtual remote control functionality input instructions from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device further comprisesreceiving and processing the location of a touch-and-click operation onthe touch screen display.
 10. A television comprising: a wirelesstransceiver configured to communicate with a proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device, the proximate wireless-enabled interactivehandheld device being a non-television remote control; a processor, thewireless transceiver, memory, a tuner, a panel configured to displaycontent, and an audio driver disposed in an interconnected architecture;and the memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: perform a search operation to identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device, establish a pairingbetween the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable deviceand the television, receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device based on the location of atouch-and-click operation on the touch screen display, translate thelocation of the touch-and-click operation into a command associated withan amenity based on the location of the touch-and-click operation, theamenity being selected from the group consisting of lighting,thermostats, and shades, and send the command to the amenity.
 11. Thetelevision as recited in claim 10, wherein the processor-executedinstructions further comprise instructions that scale an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 12. The television as recited in claim 10,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that scale, on a frame-by-frame basis, an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 13. The television as recited in claim 10,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that scale, on a streaming basis, an image on thetelevision to the touch screen display on the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device.
 14. The television as recited in claim 10,wherein the processor-executed instructions further compriseinstructions that display virtual buttons on a second portion of thetouch screen display.
 15. The television as recited in claim 10, whereinthe plurality of amenities further comprises an amenity selected fromthe group consisting of CD/DVD players, tuners, hospitality suiteservices, Internet service, pay-per-view terminals, room controldevices, and televisions.
 16. The television as recited in claim 10,wherein the plurality of amenities further comprises an amenity selectedfrom the group consisting of check in/check out, maid service, spaservice, room service, and front desk.
 17. A television comprising: awireless transceiver configured to communicate with a proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device, the proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device being a non-televisionremote control; a processor, the wireless transceiver, memory, a tuner,a panel configured to display content, and an audio driver disposed inan interconnected architecture; and the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: establish a pairing between aplurality of amenities and the television such that the television isconfigured to control each of the plurality of amenities, the pluralityof amenities being lighting associated with the multi-unit environment,perform a search operation to identify the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive handheld device, establish a pairing between the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the television,receive and process virtual remote control functionality inputinstructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device based on the location of a touch-and-click operationon the touch screen display, translate the location of thetouch-and-click operation into a command associated with one of theplurality of amenities based on the location of the touch-and-clickoperation and the parallel audiovisual experience instructions, and sendthe command to the one of the plurality of amenities.
 18. The televisionas recited in claim 17, wherein the processor-executed instructionsfurther comprise instructions that scale an image on the television to afirst portion of the touch screen display on the proximatewireless-enabled interactive handheld device.
 19. The television asrecited in claim 17, wherein the plurality of amenities furthercomprises an amenity selected from the group consisting of CD/DVDplayers, tuners, hospitality suite services, Internet service,pay-per-view terminals, room control devices, and televisions.
 20. Thetelevision as recited in claim 17, wherein the plurality of amenitiesfurther comprises an amenity selected from the group consisting of checkin/check out, maid service, spa service, room service, and front desk.